Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Napoleon: A Life
There is no question that Napoleon had some substantial accomplishments as a statesman. He implemented fundamental liberal policies in France and throughout Western Europe. Napoleon's lasting legal achievement, the Napoleonic Code, has been adopted in various forms by a quarter of the world's legal systems, from Japan to Quebec. His educational reforms laid the foundation of a modern system of education in France and throughout much of Europe. Napoleon emancipated Jews, as well as Protestants in Catholic countries and Catholics in Protestant countries. He directly overthrew feudal remains in much of western Europe. The list goes on...
There is also no question that Napoleon was also a genius military tactician and a skilled commander. He changed the nature of warfare. Nevertheless, I get hung up on the wanton loss of life. The daily description of every battle includes thousands or ten of thousands of soldiers killed. In Napoleon's advance on and subsequent retreat from Moscow, over 500,000 French soldiers died.
I also got a little bored by the descriptions of all the battles. While others may be, I am not interested in trying to track all of the descriptions of the moves and counter moves on a map.
The books paints a positive picture of Napoleon. Ever since I read the biography of DiMaaggio, I have started to wonder more and more about biographies and how authors can shape the readers view of the subject. I probably need to read another biography of Napoleon at some point...
In spite of my complaints, Napoleon is a fascinating subject. This is a solid biography of his life. I give it a "B" grade.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
ESPN Films 30 for 30 Vol 2: Of Miracles and Men
Billed as the story of Soviet hockey team that lost to the Americans in the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, it is really a broader look at Soviet hockey. Starting with the development of the hockey program after World War II, it chronicles the rise of the program through the 1970s.
The first part of the film focuses on Anatoli Tarasov. Known for this unusual training methods, he built the program from scratch starting in 1946. Tarasov is considered the father of Russian hockey and established the Soviet Union national team as the dominant force in international competition. The Soviet hockey team won the gold medal at the Olympics in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976.
The film shifts to Viktor Tikhonov. He took over the Soviet Olympic hockey team in 1975. Tikhonov was known for his dictatorial coaching style. He exercised nearly absolute control over his players' lives. Tikhonov was the coach of the team when it lost to the Americans in the 1980 Olympics. He is in the villain in the film. I didn't realize that Tikhonov had pulled the star goalie half through the game at Lake Placid in 1980.
The last half of the film is largely told through the eyes of Slava Fetisov. Fetisov was a star Soviet defenseman. As part of the film, he and his daughter return to Lake Placid.
After the Olympics, the documentary follows Slava Fetisov. He was instrumental in breaking the barrier that had previously prohibited Soviet players from leaving the Soviet Union to join the NHL. Fetisov played in the NHL from 1989 to 1998. He played with the New Jersey Devils and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.
This is a very ambitious film. It includes a large number of interviews with the Russia players from the 1980 Soviet team as well as Tarasov's daughter. It is worth looking for; it is one of the best of the Volume II episodes. While Volume I aired over about 15 months, Volume II was broadcast over almost three years. Although my memory of some of the earlier films is a little spotty, I should probably go back and rate all of the episodes like I did for Volume I.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Dinner with Jack & Morgan
Dinner with Jack and Morgan (@ Rey Azteca Taqueria in Carmichael, CA) https://t.co/komtObX0B6
— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 28, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
The Bill Simmons Podcast
FYI: The Bill Simmons Podcast launches on Thursday 10/1 - subscribe on iTunes https://t.co/SGZ7asOR1d or Soundcloud https://t.co/fBwy8hgIPH
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 27, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Jesuit Art Event
For the first time, Sharon and I went to the Jesuit Art Event. It wasn't quite what I expected. I thought that the event was going to showcase the work of the students. Instead, the show focused on a wide variety of local artists.
Afterwards, we had dinner at Miyagi Sushi in Lyon Village.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Napa Valley Evening Bike Ride
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: The Pittsburgh Drug Trials
30 for 30 Shorts: The Pittsburgh Drug Trials
The latest film, directed by Michael Jacobs, tells the story of how a cross-cultural scourge bled into the national pastime and made the front page of every paper in the country
You can find The Pittsburgh Drug Trials on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13665043 .
More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=pittsburghdrugtrials.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
The Farmer and the Fox
I'm at The Farmer and the Fox - @cairdeanwine in Saint Helena, CA https://t.co/KjUAfD5bJz— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 22, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
They're Home! [Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 17]
I left the house in Carmichael at 10:30 am. It took me 3 1/2 hours to drive the 100 miles to the airport. The world is a parking lot...
Sharon called me just as I parked in the garage at the international terminal just a little before 2 pm. I walked in to the terminal, dragged their luggage to the car and started back to the Sacramento.
Dropping Janie off at home, we were home just a little before 5 pm. I am looking forward to seeing more of the pictures!
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Selma
After reading the DiMaggio biography, I have become much more suspicious of historical films and novels. I keep wondering if this an accurate portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Andrew Young is included in the film. Young—SCLC activist and official, and later US Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, and mayor of Atlanta—told The Washington Post that the depiction of the relationship between Johnson and King" was the only thing he would question in the movie.
In spite of Young's endorsement, I think that there are parts of the film that don't work. Malcom X and J. Edger Hoover's brief appearances as well as the whole story line about Dr. King's martial affairs seemed disjointed.
In spite of the shortcomings, David Oyelowo does a great job as Dr. King. Dr. King was an amazing speaker; you get to hear Ovelowo give several of his speeches. Additionally, at the end of the film, they use several minutes of actual footage from the March in 1964. You can see Sammy Davis Jr. and Henry Bellafonte marching in the crowds. I found this part of the movie very moving.
Overall, I give the film a luke-warm endorsement. While there are parts to the film that seem to drag, I found the last ten minutes of the movie extremely powerful.
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 16
Winding down the trip, this was another travel day for Sharon and Janie. As they waited for the bus outside the Hotel Stcheclburg, Sharon called me via FaceTime. I grabbed the screen shot shown above while Janie was taking a selfie with Sharon!
They took the bus back to Lauterbrunnen and then a local train to Interlaken. They caught a train from Interlake to Burne. Checking their luggage at the railroad station, they walked around Burne. Wandering into a store in Burne, they heard a song from Milo Greene's second album!
Eventually, they took the train from Burne to the Gevena Airport. They are spending the night at the Movenpick Hotel and Casino near the airport.
In one of those odd twists of fate, Mary Maloney is in Switzerland; they met up with her. The three of them finished the day with hamburgers at the hotel. Sharon and Janie have an early morning flight back to San Francisco tomorrow.
Friday, September 18, 2015
California Historical Landmark #685
California State Historical Landmark #685
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 1311 Washington Street, Calistoga, California. There are 16 other California State Historical Landmarks in Napa County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 34.735 W 122° 34.832.
You can log your site to this site at waymarking.com
Sam Brannan arrived in Napa Valley in the late 1850s with the dream of making it the 'Saratoga of California.' In 1866 cottages were built and palm trees planted in preparation for the grand opening of the resort. This is the only cottage still standing.
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 15
Sharon and Janie took four trams from the valley floor to reach Schilthorn. This restaurant on the top of a peak is featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Unfortunately, it was snowing and cloudy so they didn't have much of a view. They had lunch in the revolving restaurant.
Returning to the valley floor, Sharon and Janie took the tram up the other side of the valley. They finished the day with dinner in Lauterbrunnen and then dessert at Hotel Stcheclburg. They packed up their stuff at the chalet. Sharon spent a third night at the nearby small hotel. They will start to wind their way home tomorrow.
More of Sharon and Janie's European Vacation!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
The Wistar Institute of Anatomy & Biology
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 1804 Chesnut Street, Pennsylvania. The GPS coordinates for this location are 39°57'05.0" N 75°11'41.9" W.
The nation's first independent biomedical research institution was founded in 1892 by Isaac Jones Wistar. It houses the anatomical collection of the Wistar and Horner Museum. Many critical vaccines and the albino Wistar rats used in medical research were developed here.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 2007
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 14
They finished the day with dinner at the hotel where Sharon is staying. Sharon is staying at Hotel Stcheclburg. After spending the first night at the chalet, this is the second night that she stayed at this little hotel.
I also finally realized how far up the valley they are. While I thought that they were in Lauterbrunnen, they are almost four miles beyond that in the very end of the valley.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Hog Island Oyster Company at the Oxbow Market
Day 13 - Oysters and Seafood Stew (at @HogIslandOyster Co. in Napa, CA) https://t.co/00qEJwsivT pic.twitter.com/WUGIdmc5cE
— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 17, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 13
Sharon and Janie spent the day hiking on the valley floor, touring Trummelbach Falls and taking the tram up to Mürren. They could only go halfway up; all of the tops were closed due to a windstorm.
They had dinner at the same hotel near the chalet. While Janie stayed at the chalet, Sharon needed up spending the night in the hotel. It will be interesting to see what Sharon does for the rest of trip.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 12
They returned the Hertz rental car to the Dijon Railway Station. Sharon said that it was a nightmare trying to find where to return the rental car.
They caught a 9:36 am TVG high speed train through Vallobre to Lausanne.
They then caught a 11:45 am train from Lausanne to Montreux. Texting from the train, Sharon said that she had "never seen anything as beautiful."
This was followed by a 1:44 pm train from Montreux to Zweisimen and a 3:38 pm train from Zweisimen to Interlaken OST. They finally got to Interlaken at 4:49 pm.
From there they took a local train to the chalet in Lauterbrunnen. They have rented a chalet for four days.
Unfortunately, the chalet reeked of fuel oil. They opened the house up and went to dinner at a nearby hotel. When they got back from dinner, the smell was still bad. Although I counseled Sharon just to get a room at the nearby hotel, they ended up spending the night. I am not sure what they are going to do for the next three nights!
Nicki and Drew
he comes home tomorrow! he comes home tomorrow! ❤️😍😘❤️ #1sleep #throwbacktowheniwasntsick
A photo posted by @nickicortese on
Monday, September 14, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 11
Spending a second night at Hostellere Le Cedre, they finished the day with dinner at the hotel. Heading for the Swiss Alps, they have a long travel day tomorrow.

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: First Pitch
30 for 30 Shorts: First Pitch
In late October 2001, before Game 3 of the World Series, President George W. Bush strode to the mound in Yankee Stadium. He calls this the ‘most nervous’ moment of his presidency. More than 9/11. More than Katrina. More than the financial collapse. With the debut of ‘First Pitch,’ we visited with him in Dallas to ask why — and about the lessons of 9/11 fourteen years later.
You can find First Pitch on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13617860.
More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=firstpitch.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Brunch with Jack & Morgan
Day 10 - Brunch with Morgan and Jack (@ Lido Cafe in Carmichael, CA) https://t.co/2J80HathSr
— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 13, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 10
One of the books that Sharon read leading up to the trip was The Road to Burgundy: The Unlikely Story of an American Making Wine and a New Life in France by Ray Walker. She and I had actually looked at the web site for his winery, located it on Google Maps and looked at pictures of him.
While it was pouring rain, they had a leisurely lunch near the hotel. As they were getting ready to leave, Sharon saw Ray Walker and another person sitting at a table in the restaurant. They went over to say hello and were invited to join them. Sharon couldn't have been more excited when she FaceTimed me later in the day...
They finished the day with dinner at a restaurant that the hotel recommended.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
2015 Holy Bowl - Jesuit versus Christian Brothers
For the fourth year in a row [2012, 2013, 2014], Jack and I went to the Holy Bowl at Hughes Stadium. Sharon missed this year; she is off on a European vacation with Janie.
I got there about 4 pm. Tailgating in the parking garage, I made a tactical error. I left the door open in the car. Without locking the car, the headlights stayed on. As a result, the battery was dead when I packed up and headed to the Jesuit tailgate.
I had a bite to eat at the Jesuit Tailgate. The Chappelles joined me. Checking on the car afterwards, it still wouldn't start..
I watched the painful fourth quarter of the JV game: lots of penalties and incomplete passes. The varsity came out fast and blew out Christian Brothers. Beau Bisharat scored on runs of 78, 71 and 21 yards in piling up 219 yards by halftime on seven carries. The Stanford-bound senior finished with a Holy Bowl record 315 yards on 16 carries. Jesuit won the game by the score of 51 to 9.
After the game, Jack bought me some jumper cables; Bridget had some in her car. I was eventually able to get someone to give me a jump. Although the traffic was backed up, I was able to sneak out the back way. People are sheep...
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 9
They are spending one night at Chateau de Vault de Lugny. Sharon said that the woman at the front desk was snotty... After exploring the grounds, they had a very nice dinner at the hotel.
More of Sharon and Janie's European Vacation!
Friday, September 11, 2015
Holy Bowl Kick-off
Day 8 - Holy Bowl Kick-off (@ Croatian American Cultural Center in Sacramento, CA) https://t.co/vJN5uKeTaa pic.twitter.com/dBQ0JltP7q— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 12, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 8
They had dinner at a "funky restaurant" in a small town near their hotel. They spent a second night at the Chateau de Etoges.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 7
They then headed to the Chateau de Etoges. They finished the day with dinner at the hotel.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Jesuit Galley Crew 2015 First Home Game
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 6
Paris Apartment from heringermr on Vimeo.
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
Cisco Wireless Conversion
Day 5 - 20 hour shift upgrading the hospital from Motorola to Cisco wireless for the SmartHospital project. pic.twitter.com/8SE8yXcrZq— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 9, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 5
Upon arrival in the town of Versailles by train, they rode bikes to the famous city market to shop for picnic supplies. Then, they cruised through the Chateau's enormous grounds along a network of fantastic trails and tree-lined paths to visit Marie Antoinette's Hamlet and both the Petit & Grand Trianons. They had a picnic at the end of the Grand Canal. After lunch, they continued through the grounds and entered the chambers of the Chateau itself.
Sharon said that it was fabulous. They had a great Irish guide who gave them lots of history.
Monday, September 07, 2015
Fish Hatchery to Granite Bay Bike Ride
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 4
Talking to Sharon on FaceTime at the end of their day, she said that they almost got crushed at the Louvre. There were so many people.
Sunday, September 06, 2015
Dinner with Morgan and Jack
Day 3 - Nice dinner with Morgan and Jack (@ Rey Azteca Taqueria in Carmichael, CA) https://t.co/dNXToqHlfo
— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 7, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 3
Sainte-Chapelle from heringermr on Vimeo.
Saturday, September 05, 2015
2015 Jesuit Varsity Soccer versus El Camino
Mormon Island
The Natoma Ditch was a series of canals, ditches and flumes that supplied water to the ranches, miners and settlers in the Mormon Island area.
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 2
After a crepe and a nap, they headed to the Eiffel Tower. They finished the evening with dinner in the neighborhood near their apartment visiting with a couple of tables of Americans.
Friday, September 04, 2015
Dinner with Borjas and Renterias
Day 1 - Dinner with the Renterias and Borjas (@ Riverside Clubhouse - @riversideclubhs) https://t.co/T0Eva3eyxe pic.twitter.com/VrxNHC3I7C
— Mark Heringer (@heringermr) September 5, 2015
Sharon and Janie's European Vacation - Day 1
Thursday, September 03, 2015
California Historical Landmark #684
California State Historical Landmark #684
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at the northwest corner of Wapoo Avenue and Grant Street, 203 Wapoo Avenue, Calistoga, California. There are 16 other California State Historical Landmarks in Napa County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 34.971 W 122° 34.628.
You can log your site to this site at waymarking.com
Sam Brannan arrived in Napa Valley in the late 1850s and purchased a square mile of land at the foot of Mount St. Helena. This is the store he built, in which he made $50,000 in one year.
Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Alfred J. Reach
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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This marker is located at 1804 Chesnut Street, Pennsylvania. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 57.098 W 075° 10.237.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Pioneer baseball professional; a great early 2nd baseman. Played for the Philadelphia Athletics, 1865-75. Phillies' first owner & president, 1883-1902. Published "Official Base Ball Guide." His A.J. Reach & Co., maker of sporting goods, was here.